Solar air-heating system

Abstract

A roof-mounted solar air-heating system containing a solar absorber with at least one air manifold integrated structurally with the solar absorber to effect improved heat transfer efficiency and airspeed. The improved airspeed in combination with integrated air entrance and exit tubes improves solar-heated air displacement and temperature de-stratification in buildings without need for tie-in to other ventilation equipment.

1 . An improved solar air-heating system comprising:
 a. an oblong air plenum with at least one transparent side that permits solar radiation,   b. an entrance opening and an exit opening to the air plenum such that an air pathway is established substantially through the length of the plenum,   c. a substantially flat absorber that heats when exposed to solar radiation and is positioned within the air plenum so that the field of the absorber stands vertically and divides the air pathway along its length,   d. an air manifold intercepting the air pathway,   whereby air, when forced through the air plenum will impinge upon a broader area of the solar absorber field and thereby speed heat conversion from the solar absorber, when it is heated by solar radiation, to the air.   
     
     
         2 . The improved solar air-heating system of  claim 1 , further including an air exit tube that communicates with and extends downward from the air plenum exit opening, such that when the air plenum is installed above a building, the air exit tube will penetrate a corresponding and necessary pre-cut hole through the building's roof, and allow communication between the air plenum and the building's interior,
 whereby any airflow forced through the air plenum is collimated along the length of the air exit tube and thereby carries heat farther into the building interior.   
     
     
         3 . The improved solar air-heating system of  claim 1 , further including an air entrance and an air exit tube each communicating with and extending downward from the corresponding air plenum's entrance and exit openings, such that when the air plenum is installed above a building, said tubes will penetrate corresponding and necessary pre-cut holes through the building's roof, allowing communication between the air plenum and the building's interior, so that when airflow is forced at a substantial speed through the air plenum, air from the air stratum that exists in the building's interior just under its roof enters the air entrance tube, flows through the air plenum, exits through the air exit tube, and penetrates substantially below said air stratum,
 whereby air temperature within the building will become destratified partially or completely.   
     
     
         4 . An improved solar air-heating system comprising:
 a. an air plenum of substantially oblong box shape, that permits sunlight through a trans-parent sheet that forms one of the plenum's two long vertical sides,   b. an entrance opening and an exit opening to the air plenum, both substantially round holes cut through the bottom side and at opposite ends of the air plenum, such that an air pathway is established through the length of the air plenum,   c. a substantially flat absorber that heats when exposed to solar radiation and is positioned within the air plenum so that the field of the absorber sits vertically and divides the air pathway along its length,   d. an air manifold in a position intercepting the air pathway just after the air entrance opening, consisting of a series of oblong vanes, each vane with its field perpendicular to the absorber and attached to it lengthwise, the vanes placed with their bottom short edges parallel and at substantially equal intervals across the air plenum's said openings, the vanes' parallel top edges fanning from their bottom edge origin across the height of the absorber field, where the vanes span the perpendicular distance between the absorber and one or other of the plenum's long vertical sides, so that absorber, vanes, and one or both of the plenum's long vertical sides enclose manifold air passageways,   whereby each manifold will encourage airflow, when air is forced through the air plenum, across a broader area of the solar absorber field and thereby speed heat transfer from the solar absorber to the air.   
     
     
         5 . The improved solar air-heating system of  claim 4 , further including an air exit tube that communicates with and extends downward from one of the air plenum openings, such that when the air plenum is deployed above a building, the air exit tube will install through a corresponding hole in the building roof and allow communication between the air plenum and the building interior,
 whereby any airflow forced through the air plenum is collimated by the air exit tube,   and thereby displaces   heat farther into the building interior.   
     
     
         6 . The improved solar air-heating system of  claim 4 , further including an air entrance and an air exit tube each communicating with and extending downward from the corresponding air plenum's entrance and exit openings, such that when the air plenum is installed above a building, said tubes will penetrate corresponding and necessary pre-cut holes through the building's roof, and allow communication between the air plenum and the building's interior, so that when airflow is forced at a substantial speed through the air plenum, air from the air stratum that exists in the building's interior just under its roof enters and flows through the air plenum and subsequently penetrates substantially below said air stratum,
 whereby air temperature within the building will become destratified partially or completely.